Designer artisan toggle clasps

Instructor: Laura Stamper
Laura grew up in the expanses of rural Minnesota. The natural beauty of the countryside greatly influenced her creative endeavors. “I was always making things with mud and drawing animals on walls,” Laura says. Today she creates one of a kind wearable sculptures that celebrate nature and the female form.
“I have never had a shortage of imaginative and creative thoughts,” Laura says. “The work often leads me to see new things that my hands are anxious to make.” Much of her inspiration is rooted in story. Each piece of miniature wearable sculpture has its own personality and its own story to tell.
Laura studied as a painter with an emphasis on portraiture. “My first love was painting and illustrating. When I approach a new piece, I think in terms of color, composition and negative space.” In 1991, the creative process drew her to work with clay. Laura began by drawing whimsical pictures on her ceramic pieces and glazing them. In 1993, she took the process one step further and sculpted the porcelain to make her jewelry.
As the work evolved, Laura developed a desire to work with metal so that she could incorporate the porcelain miniatures with other materials. In 1996 she studied with an accomplished goldsmith to learn techniques in jewelry fabrication. For several years, she created animals and sculptural portraits in jewelry.

Currently not available.
Location: To Bead True BlueSkill Levels: All
Dates/Times: January 28, from 10:00am to 1:00pm
Fees: $90 » kit included

This is the perfect class for beaders to try their hand at basic metalsmith techniques to create one of a kind focal toggle closures for their beautiful beaded creation! Students will design and make two, one of a kind toggles, using some basic fabrication techniques including dapping and soldering. This class will also teach basic tube setting skills, and embellishment techniques with 24 k gold leaf.